Saturday, October 28, 2023

Westinghouse Opens Plant to Build eVinci Microreactor | Neutron Bytes

Westinghouse Opens Plant to Build eVinci Microreactor | Neutron Bytes: Westinghouse Opens Manufacturing Plant for eVinci Microreactor X-Energy Inks MOUs with DOE & DOD for Mobile Micro Reactor Design Work Newcleo, Nuclear & UK AMRC Collaborate on LFR fabricati…

House GOP passes energy, water funding bill | The Hill

House GOP passes energy, water funding bill | The Hill: Welcome to The Hill’s Energy & Environment newsletter {beacon} Energy & Environment Energy & Environment The Big Story  House passes cuts for climate programs The House on Thursday passed an energy and water funding bill — the first under its new Speaker — with big cuts for renewables and home electrification rebates. © Greg Nash…

The Renewable Energy Boom Poses Challenges For California's Nuclear Industry

The Renewable Energy Boom Poses Challenges For California's Nuclear Industry: California's path to renewable energy has caused a major change in the energy landscape, leading to challenges for the nuclear industry. Recent events in the

The United States Faces a Fossil Fuel Dilemma

The United States Faces a Fossil Fuel Dilemma: When you see a sleek new Tesla in a parking lot or hear an announcement of a utility committing to solar or that work is proceeding with converting steel-making from coal to electricity, you might …

Poland's Pomerania backs proposed nuclear plant location : New Nuclear - World Nuclear News

Poland's Pomerania backs proposed nuclear plant location : New Nuclear - World Nuclear News: The decision by the regional authorities to determine the territorial scope - on both land and sea - of Poland's first nuclear power plant in the Lubiatowo-Kopalino site in the Choczewo municipality in Pomerania means that Polskie Elektrownie JÄ…drowe has received the right to use the area for preparatory work.

House subcommittee approves several nuclear policy bills - ExchangeMonitor | Page 1

House subcommittee approves several nuclear policy bills - ExchangeMonitor | Page 1: ExchangeMonitor covers nuclear weapons, waste management, nuclear cleanup, international intelligence as well as carbon capture and storage.

Fifth Circuit Should Rehear Nuclear Waste Storage Case, Feds Say

Fifth Circuit Should Rehear Nuclear Waste Storage Case, Feds Say: The federal government urged the entire US Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit to rehear a panel decision that vacated a Nuclear Regulatory Commission license for a waste storage facility in Texas.

Thursday, October 26, 2023

House Republicans pass first government funding bill under new Speaker | The Hill

House Republicans pass first government funding bill under new Speaker | The Hill: House Republicans on Thursday passed a sprawling partisan energy plan, the first funding bill approved on the floor since the lower chamber ousted its Speaker more than three weeks ago.  The measure passed in 210-199 vote Thursday afternoon, with just one Republican no vote. It is only the second piece of legislation to cross the…

American Small Reactor Development Suffers From Short Sellers | OilPrice.com

American Small Reactor Development Suffers From Short Sellers | OilPrice.com: Small Nuclear Reactor developer NuScale is struggling to find buyers for its power in the Intermountain West of the U.S., and in the meantime it’s dealing with the negative impact from short sellers

Propping Up Proceduralism | The Breakthrough Institute

Propping Up Proceduralism | The Breakthrough Institute: The Breakthrough Institute is an environmental research center based in Berkeley, California. Our research focuses on identifying and promoting…

Nucor and Microsoft are counting on nuclear fusion to reduce their emissions | GreenBiz

Nucor and Microsoft are counting on nuclear fusion to reduce their emissions | GreenBiz: Steelmaker Nucor is investing $35 million in Helion, a nuclear fusion company, as part of a plan to build a power plant for one of its steel mills. Microsoft is also betting on the venture.

US Wants Full 5th Circ. Review Of Atomic Waste Ruling - Law360

US Wants Full 5th Circ. Review Of Atomic Waste Ruling - Law360: The full Fifth Circuit should review and correct an erroneous panel ruling that federal nuclear regulators lacked the authority to license temporary atomic waste storage, a decision that exacerbated circuit splits and contradicted decades of agency practice, according to regulators and a storage company.

Viewpoint: Industry's key role in radiation protection rules : Perspectives - World Nuclear News

Viewpoint: Industry's key role in radiation protection rules : Perspectives - World Nuclear News: The nuclear industry's expertise and perspective must be involved in the setting of policy, guidelines and standards, says Marcel Lips as he steps down after a decade as chairman of World Nuclear Association's Radiological Protection Working Group.

Missouri S&T – News and Events – Top U.S. nuclear energy official speaks with Missouri S&T community

Missouri S&T – News and Events – Top U.S. nuclear energy official speaks with Missouri S&T community: Last week was Nuclear Science Week, and Missouri University of Science and Technology hosted several events to promote nuclear energy — including having the United States’ top official for nuclear energy speak to the campus community.

Johnson brings pro-oil, climate-skeptical record to speakership | The Hill

Johnson brings pro-oil, climate-skeptical record to speakership | The Hill: Newly minted House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), who won the gavel Wednesday after three prior Republican nominees failed to reach a majority, is a longtime ally of the oil industry and will be perhaps the most vocal skeptic of the scientific consensus on climate change ever to hold the speakership.  Johnson, whose district includes the…

Inside one company’s quest to revive U.S. nuclear power - E&E News by POLITICO

Inside one company’s quest to revive U.S. nuclear power - E&E News by POLITICO: Centrus Energy's new Ohio plant is the only U.S. facility licensed to produce high-assay low-enriched uranium, which is expected to power the next

Daily on Energy: E&C goes nuclear, IEA sees 10x EVs, and EPA funds environmental justice | Washington Examiner

Daily on Energy: E&C goes nuclear, IEA sees 10x EVs, and EPA funds environmental justice | Washington Examiner: Subscribe today to the Washington Examiner magazine and get Washington Briefing: politics and policy stories that will keep you up to date with what's going on in Washington. SUBSCRIBE NOW: Just $1.00 an issue!

DOE Picks Nuclear Designs for First Microreactor Experiments at INL’s New Test Bed

DOE Picks Nuclear Designs for First Microreactor Experiments at INL’s New Test Bed: The Department of Energy (DOE) has unveiled three nuclear microreactor developers that will design the first experiments at Idaho National Laboratory’s

Electrifying Almost Everything Means Much More Nuclear Energy

Electrifying Almost Everything Means Much More Nuclear Energy: Nuclear energy the only fuel source that can provide round-the-clock carbon-free energy — when we are trying to decarbonize nearly everything.

PG&E CEO talks about future of Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant | San Luis Obispo Tribune

PG&E CEO talks about future of Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant | San Luis Obispo Tribune: PG&E CEO Patricia Poppe answers the question: What do you see as the best-case scenario for the future of the Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant?

Shapiro awards Pittsburgh-area nuclear energy project state grant | 90.5 WESA

Shapiro awards Pittsburgh-area nuclear energy project state grant | 90.5 WESA: The state gave a $1 million grant for a new Westinghouse facility in Etna that will manufacture non-nuclear parts for a portable nuclear microreactor called the eVinci.

NFS in Erwin awarded $300M contract to manufacture naval nuclear reactor fuel | WCYB

NFS in Erwin awarded $300M contract to manufacture naval nuclear reactor fuel | WCYB: WCYB NBC 5 Bristol and WEMT Fox 39 Greeneville offer local and national news reporting, sports, and weather forecasts to viewers in the Tennessee, Virginia Tri-Cities area including Bristol, Kingsport and Johnson City.

Bulgaria to push ahead with two new units at Kozloduy : New Nuclear - World Nuclear News

Bulgaria to push ahead with two new units at Kozloduy : New Nuclear - World Nuclear News: The Council of Ministers in Bulgaria has given the go-head for the construction of the new unit 7 and preparatory work for unit 8 at the Kozloduy nuclear power plant, with both to feature AP1000 reactors.

US needs to update nuclear posture to defend against China and Russia: Congressional commission | Washington Examiner

US needs to update nuclear posture to defend against China and Russia: Congressional commission | Washington Examiner: A congressionally mandated commission has recommended the United States update and build out its nuclear posture to defend against Russia and China, according to the findings in their report.

US energy transition needs to avoid China dependence -State Dept official | Reuters

US energy transition needs to avoid China dependence -State Dept official | Reuters: Emerging U.S. businesses in the energy transition supply chain such as hydrogen and wind power should act fast to avoid being dominated by China, a senior State Department official said on Tuesday.

Atoms for Peace 2.0: The case for a stronger US-Japan nuclear power alliance - Atlantic Council

Atoms for Peace 2.0: The case for a stronger US-Japan nuclear power alliance - Atlantic Council: Against the backdrop of Russian and Chinese-induced geopolitical instability, Tokyo and Washington should redouble commitments to the peaceful use of nuclear energy.

France Plans $1.8 Billion Uranium Plant Expansion to Cut Reliance on Russia  - BNN Bloomberg

France Plans $1.8 Billion Uranium Plant Expansion to Cut Reliance on Russia  - BNN Bloomberg: Orano SA will spend €1.7 billion ($1.8 billion) to expand a uranium-enrichment plant in southern France as countries in the West seek to reduce their reliance on Russian nuclear fuel.

DOE Picks Nuclear Designs for First Microreactor Experiments at INL’s New Test Bed

DOE Picks Nuclear Designs for First Microreactor Experiments at INL’s New Test Bed: The Department of Energy (DOE) has unveiled three nuclear microreactor developers that will design the first experiments at Idaho National Laboratory’s

Japan, Denmark to collaborate on floating offshore wind technology | Reuters

Japan, Denmark to collaborate on floating offshore wind technology | Reuters: Japan and Denmark are set to agree later on Tuesday to join hands in researching and developing floating offshore wind power technologies in a bid to combat climate change, an official at Japan's industry ministry said.

How AI Needs to Be Regulated like Nuclear Energy | TIME

How AI Needs to Be Regulated like Nuclear Energy | TIME: AI labs compare AI risk on par with the existential and safety risks of nuclear, yet they dismiss regulations.

Nuclear power in Illinois: Behind the scenes at Byron Generating Station

Nuclear power in Illinois: Behind the scenes at Byron Generating Station: Byron Generating Station is tightly run. Federal background checks are necessary, security checkpoints are common, radiation monitors are required and visitors are never left alone. There are a minimum of five people in the control room 24/7.

IEA sees increasing role for nuclear in energy transition : Energy & Environment - World Nuclear News

IEA sees increasing role for nuclear in energy transition : Energy & Environment - World Nuclear News: "A changing policy landscape is creating opportunities for a nuclear comeback," according to the International Energy Agency in the latest edition of its World Energy Outlook, with nuclear generating capacity expected to increase from 417 GWe in 2022 to 620 GWe in 2050 in a scenario based on existing energy policies.

Three microreactor designs selected for US test bed experiments : New Nuclear - World Nuclear News

Three microreactor designs selected for US test bed experiments : New Nuclear - World Nuclear News: Radiant, Ultra Safe Nuclear Corporation and Westinghouse have been awarded US Department of Energy funding totalling USD3.9 million for front-end engineering and experiment design of their respective microreactor designs in a new test bed facility at Idaho National Laboratory.

Escalation In Israel-Hamas Conflict May Doom Oil Markets | OilPrice.com

Escalation In Israel-Hamas Conflict May Doom Oil Markets | OilPrice.com: The potential for oil and gas prices to spike is considerable if the Israel-Hamas conflict does indeed widen out in the next couple of weeks

Monday, October 23, 2023

South Korean Firms Plan to Offer Advanced SMRs to Saudi Arabia for Desalination | Neutron Bytes

South Korean Firms Plan to Offer Advanced SMRs to Saudi Arabia for Desalination | Neutron Bytes: South Korean Firms Plan to Offer Advanced SMRs to Saudi Arabia for Desalination US Progress for Agreement on Nuclear Power in Philippines Japan / Delayed Rokkasho Reprocessing Plant Could Begin Ope…

Oman, Saudi Arabia sign MoU in nuclear field

Oman, Saudi Arabia sign MoU in nuclear field: Oman and Saudi Arabia signed a memorandum of understanding in the field of nuclear and radiation safety and radiation protection.

It’s too late for nuclear to save the climate | TechCrunch

It’s too late for nuclear to save the climate | TechCrunch: Even with the new designs, nuclear power probably won’t be enough to make a difference because its biggest hurdles aren’t technical at all.

As nuclear fuel plant opens in Ohio, can small reactors compete? | Energy News Network

As nuclear fuel plant opens in Ohio, can small reactors compete? | Energy News Network: Centrus’ new Ohio plant is the first U.S. commercial plant to make fuel for advanced reactors that need HALEU, or high-assay, low-enriched uranium.

France Plans $1.8 Billion Uranium Plant Expansion to Cut Reliance on Russia  - BNN Bloomberg

France Plans $1.8 Billion Uranium Plant Expansion to Cut Reliance on Russia  - BNN Bloomberg: Orano SA will spend €1.7 billion ($1.8 billion) to expand a uranium-enrichment plant in southern France as countries in the West seek to reduce their reliance on Russian nuclear fuel.

Michael Bloomberg’s $1 Billion Assault on The Electric Grid

Michael Bloomberg’s $1 Billion Assault on The Electric Grid: The media mogul wants to shutter all coal- and half of gas-fired generation by 2030. That’s 40% of U.S. electricity production.

Japan hopes to complete nuclear fuel reprocessing plant in 2024 | Reuters

Japan hopes to complete nuclear fuel reprocessing plant in 2024 | Reuters: Japan Nuclear Fuel Limited (JNFL) hopes to finish construction of a long-delayed nuclear fuel reprocessing plant in the first half of fiscal 2024, a company official said, as Japan looks to freeing storage space amid reactor restarts.

Viewpoint: The communications challenge for nuclear energy's revival : Perspectives - World Nuclear News

Viewpoint: The communications challenge for nuclear energy's revival : Perspectives - World Nuclear News: Public support for nuclear energy continues to grow as a wave of new nuclear plants - large and small - enter service or are planned, and communications strategies need to evolve to match the new outlook, writes Jarret Adams, CEO of Full On Communications.

Batteries, biotechnology and the decarbonisation of buildings

Batteries, biotechnology and the decarbonisation of buildings: In this week's roundup of disruptive technology, we delve into three recent trends that are rapidly entering into the mainstream.

Biden administration picks 31 regional tech hubs to spur US innovation | Reuters

Biden administration picks 31 regional tech hubs to spur US innovation | Reuters: The U.S. Commerce Department said on Monday it was naming 31 regional tech hubs from 370 applicants, making the areas eligible for $500 million in federal funding to help spur innovation across a variety of sectors.

Biden awards $7 billion in hydrogen hub money to 16 states | Reuters

Biden awards $7 billion in hydrogen hub money to 16 states | Reuters: The Biden administration has announced that seven proposed "hydrogen hubs" in 16 states will share $7 billion in federal grants to jump-start the emerging industry, which officials hope will clean up some of the biggest carbon-emitting industrial sectors.

Sunday, October 22, 2023

The Green Electric Power Grid Isn’t Coming - WSJ

The Green Electric Power Grid Isn’t Coming - WSJ: The International Energy Agency says it would require millions of miles of transmission lines.

Saudi Arabia, Oman sign nuclear, radiation safety deal | Arab News

Saudi Arabia, Oman sign nuclear, radiation safety deal | Arab News: RIYADH: In a joint effort to improve nuclear and radiation safety and protection, Saudi Arabia and Oman have signed an agreement, furthering their commitment to advancing the sector’s technology. The memorandum of understanding aims to advance and strengthen cooperation using nuclear technologies for peaceful purposes. The deal stipulates the exchange of experiences,

(98) Should The U.S. Bury Its Power Lines? - YouTube

(98) Should The U.S. Bury Its Power Lines? - YouTube: Burying power lines is an expensive but sure-fire way to practically eliminate the risk of utility-caused wildfires, which have devastated towns across Calif...